The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-09-21
DIME MUSEUM FREAKS.
dUMAN CURIosITIEs PLACED ON
EXHIBITION.

Circus Performers, Singers, Etc.
Fat men and women IN the dime
museums on the Bowcry are paid ac-
cording to their weight, says the New
York Mail and Express. The average is
about $50 per week. Very heavy men or
women get as high as $50. Beginners
receive from 500 to $25, and are ad-
vanced as they become heavier. Circas
sian girls are not profitable. 1t doesn't
really pay to be Circassian girl now.
The market is fiat at $50 to $25 per
week. Tattooed men come little
higher. They can be obtained for SO
per week, but the genuine article readily
brings $40 per week.
India rubber men come high. They
are not numerous. They are always
good drawing cards. 1t isn't every one
who can be a rubber man. 1t is hard
work and is a great strain on the begin
ner. Still, it is profitable. Experts re-
ceive 500 per week Hairy boys from
Burmah arc also in demand. They re-
ceivc $lG0 per week. Men who can eat
glass are not rare nowadays. First-class
glass eaters get only $50 a week. It's
great strain on man to cat glass. Sword
swallowing is more profitable. A woman
who can eat sword after sword until she
is gorged gets $40 per week, and is in
great contrast to Chicago girls with big
feet. Years ago such women were rare,
but the bull market in the staple has
been flattcned out, and they can be had
now for $f2 weekly. The supply OF
bridge jumpers exceeds the demand and
can be had for 81 day. Fire eaters are
paid $40 weekly. Snake charmers get
as high as 500. The man with the iron
Jaw is very numerous. lie is quoted at
$40 to SIS weekly.
Ii may seem strange that dime museums
can pay the salaries quoted above, but
when it is considered that they are open
from morning until night the wonder is
not so great, Most museums have side
show attachment in the form of a presti-
digitateur or Punch and Judy. The
salaries paid magicians vary according to
their reputation and ability. Five dol
lars per day to give a dozen or more
performances is considered a good price
for museum exhibitions. Three dollars
per day for Punch and Judy exhibition
is about the average salary paid.
The Bowery is also the headquarters
for clowns, singers, dancers and other
specialists of the variety theatre. Like
their confreres of the museum, they arc
all in town eager to make engagements
for next winter There has been a great
falling-off in the value of clowns lately.
Years ago circuses depended upon them,
TO a large extent, for their mirth, but
the clowns duties have been curtailed,
and now they only appear in the circus
ring at intervals, and are permitted only
to tumble about and give pantomine cx-
hibitions. Still they are well paid.
Forty dollars per week is the average
compensation. A few get $50. The
best pad clown in this country is Conk-
lin. He receives 500 weekly. This is
considered a wonderfully high price
Jim Moffit gets $75. He is one of
the kings of the profession. Fairly good
clowns can be had for $25 per week.
Trapeze performers can be engaged for
the same amount and tumblers for S15.
The country is flooded with expert aero
bats and grand and lofty tumblers.
They can be hired at any price; from
$40 to $15 is considered good pay.
at doesn't pay to be tumbler these
days. said one of the experts. ''lt is
hard work, and it itrequires years of study
and practice. We begin by turning
hand-springs aud walking on our hands
when boys, and gradually become more
and more proficient until we are able to
perform feats that people pay to witness.
It's dangerous work, and $15 per week
doesga't begin to pay for the study and
,Ss14iie nafesaiiiss. ss.-aEe undergo.
Bareback riders arr paid the highest
salaries of any performers connected with
aciIcus. Some receive as much as $20(
aweek. The usual salary is 800. NJ
first-class rider can be obtained for less
although there are numerous men anC
women who can ride well and who ar,
paid only $50 OF $75. 1t takes Ions
=, time tobecome an expert rider and many
promising beginner is injured for life il
the attempt
Tight-rope walkers receive $50. Thos
who can do some extraordinary feat, sucl
as rioing bicycle on the tight rope, al
receive more. The performers are most
women and are usually advanced in lif
before they begin their perilous work
Strolling walkers fasten their rope fron
one building to another and give free eX
hibitions After the performance the
pass the hat and depend upon the pen
nies received for their livelihood.
Clog dancing is also declining. Clio
dancers can be had at small figures o
the Bowery they can be picked up by tn
hundred. The proprietOrs of the variet
theartes in the Rowery have saying ths
''if you want good clog dancer go OF
into the street and whistle and you'll hay
dozen to pick from in a minute II
cheap lodging houses all have dance
among their dodgers. In truth, it ma
be said that many of them dance f,
their meals dance for their drinks an
dance for their lodgings. The best
them usually go in pairs and receive
per night conformity for their service
The best clog dancer in the countr
~ Marcus Doyle, receives only $40 per we,
when under engagement Eccentr
acrobats like the "Happy Hottentots" a
paid well, They must combine maj
marvellous faculties. The Nelson fami
are said to receive 500 weekly.
Burnt cork artists are numerous al
cheap. They can be had from $40 to
per week. Those who receive more tn
the latter sum must be able to do seve
acts.
Concert singers are paid different sal,
les. 1t depends upon the singers abil
and his or her reputation. Those Of I
character that appear in gardens a
saloons get little OF nothing A +
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